Furnace construction



ward@ E99 @929D R f3, DE WQLF pm FURNAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb, 21, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 5 ATTORNEY FURNACE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 21, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 4 /L'S 'ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

ROGER D. DE WOLF, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

FURNACE CONSTRUCTION.

Application led February 21, 1824. Serial No'. 694,196.

This invention relates to furnaces and more particularly to `the Wall and 'arch construction thereof, one object of the inventionbeing to provide a construction of this character comprising a portion arranged for movement relative to the contiguous portions to accommodate expanding and contracting movement of such portions under variations in temperature. Another object is the provision of such a furnace comprising an arc portion constructed and arranged for support by suspension means aiording expansive movement of the portions underv variations in temperature. A further object is the provision of a furnace Vhaving al separately constructed arch portion carried by suspension means movably connected therewith at one side of the centerof gravity thereof and tending to effect a tilting action of the suspended portion for maintaining continuous contact with contiguous portions of the furnace during expansion and contraction :under temperature changes.

To these and otherends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the 'novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a furnace construction embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of sup orting members detachedas seen substantial y from the line 2-4-2a in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isla sectional view on the line 33al v in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 53-5 in Fig.- 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of themovable arch portion as seen from the left in Fig.'1;

Fig. 7 is' an enlarged sectional elevation on the line 7- a in Fig. 6; v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation on the line 83-8 in Fig. 7 l

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a modified embodiment of the invention; f

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlargement of parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view, partly in section, as seen from the lline 1111" in Fig. 9;

5 is asectional elevation on the line 22, a series of Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view'on the line 12a-12'1 in Fig. 9, and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail view of suspension means shown in Fig. 9.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The construction of furnace walls and arches presents amon other difficult-ies, the problem of providing or the relative expanding and contracting movements of the different portions corresponding to the varia-y tions of temperature in operation, while at the same ,time maintaining close contact between the different portions to prevent the escape of the heated gases. It has been found that this problem is solved by a construction comprising a separatel assembled portion supported and arrange in such a manner as to ai'ord movement thereof relative to contiguous portions durin expansion and contraction, and the mova le portion is preferlably so disposed as to effect a swinging, or. plvotal tilting, or other movement thereof tending to maintain it invcontact with' the contiguous portion in all positions of the latter to maintain tight joints. This invention provides a practical construction of this nature applied in' the present instance, b

way of illustration, to the lfurnace arch whic is particularly subjected to high temperatures tending 4to produce considerable expansion and contraction and furthermore requires close contact between its parts to confine the intensely hot gases which flow against it. l

The present embodiment ofthe invention thus comprises a movably 'su ported arch portion preferabl having t e improved formof construction disclosed in my prior Letters Patent No. 1,462,267 'granted July 17, 1923, for furnace arches.

ings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a furnace having a fixed main arch portion and a movably suspended ignition arch portionconnecting the same with the front .wall of the furnace. The fixed arch portion comprises a pair of transversely extending I beams -20 and .21 from which are sus nded, as by means of stra s ams`23 as shown also in Fig. 5. e Suspended from each of the beams 23,

`as bv means of clamps 24, is a. series of hanger bric'ks 25 of the shape shown. A plurality of lining bricks 26 are carried b each series of hanger bricks by means of t e interlocking flanges indicated at. 27, Fig. 5, while Referring more particularly to the draw` shoulders 28 of adjacent series of hanger bricks support partition bricks 29, which further close Vthe brick portion of the arch and also provide channels 30 having an insulatther description thereof herein appears sulll perfluous.v This construction is practical and advantageous in vvarious respects as pointed out in said Letters Patent, including the advantage that when any of the bricks require replacement in use, such bricks may be readily removed and replaced with a minimum amount of disturbance of adjoining bricks and of labor generally by releasing the clamps 24 of the hanger brick or bricks carrying the defective pieces and lowering vthe latter through the arch. The defective bricks are then replacedby new ones and the parts re placed in position and clamped to theI beam 23 as before.

The main arch portion constructed nd supported in fined relation as described above is` preferably terminated aty 3l, lig. l, at some distance from the front wall of the furnace represented in the present instance by a me chanical Stoker portion 32 of any known or suitable construction., This space is filled .by a separately constructed ignition' arch portion rnovably suspended in accordance with the present invention. The construction of this arch portion is similar in character to that described above and in said Letters Patent, in

that it comprises a series of parallel beams 33' to the :langes 34 of which are secured clam s 35 carrying aligned series of hanger bric s 36. Facing or lining bricks 37 'are su ported by the latter as also the partition bricks 38, supplying a practical and durable construe tion having the adaptability to repair pointed out above.

The movable arch portion is arranged as shown in inclined relation, as common in ignition arch portions for reasons well undenstood in the art, and embodies the further" feature of an advantageous abutment or -foot portion on each beam 33 for additionally supporting the bricks and taking up the component of the wei ht thereof extending longitudinally of the loam. The latter is in the present instance of special construction having the main vertical web portion with a bottom flange 34 as shown and the lower end of the beam is preferably extended vertically downward and formed with the T shaped terminal socket portion 39, as shown 1in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Removably fitting in this socket portion and removably secured as by means of a locking key or pin 39a' is the l shaped upper end 40 of a foot portion 41 extending horizontally inward as shown. Mounted on each such footportion is a brick 42 formed with a channel 43 along its outer side and monaca bottom to receive the foot portion which latter preferably has a rib 44 engaging in a recess in the brick for retaining the latterin place. The bottom of the foot portion isypreferably formed with side flanges 45 with which are sliolably engaged the side flanges 46 of a shoe 47 which with the brick 42 protects the foot portion from the heat and may be replaced y,

.scribed above without disturbing any considerable portion of the arch.

l'lhe forward end of the movable arch portion comprising the abutment bricks 48 is in `sliding contact with the front wall of the furnace which at this portion is preferably fitted with a cooperating brick surface such --`for example as shown at 49, Fig. l. On the upper and inner end 50 of the movable arch portion are placed, and cemented if desired,l

one or more bricks 5l in sliding Contact with the forward end 31 of the fixed arch portion and thus filling up the angle between the two portions. l

The movable arch portion is preferably supported by a form of suspension mea i affording a bodily swinging movement or an angular tilting movement about an axis there-v of, or both, to accommodate expansion and contraction of the contiguous furnace por'- tions under variations in temperature while so arranged as to maintain close contact between the portions to confine the heat. To this end there is preferablyl provided a transverse I beam 52 to the lower flange of which is secured clamps 53 of any suitable construction comprising depending straps 54 to'which are pivotally secured, as by means of bolts 55, a series of aligned suspensionlinks or straps56., The. latter are pivotally connected at Vtheir lower ends, as by means of bolts 57 with thc webs of the respective beams 33, Fig. 6. The latter may be conveniently formed with a scries of longitudinally spaced bolt holes` 58 for adjusting the connection therewith of the suspension links. Preferably the axis of pivotal connection of the 'suspension means ywith the beams 33 is at one side of a vertical plane pass ing through the center of gravity of the suspended arch vportion which may be represented for present purposes as at 59.

The flexible character ofsupport afforded by the pivotal connection between clamps 53 and the links 56 provides for a bodily swinging movement of the ignition arch accommodating any simultaneous expansive movelll() nient of the front wall and fixed arch portion in the same direction, as may occur under certain constructions and conditions 'of operation. The pivotal supportof the ignition arch for kangular tilting movement about an axis thereof passingf'through thebolts=57-con necting the same with" the suspension links,

affords in addition a tilting movement of the arch portion accommodating expansive move-- ment of the furnace -wall and fixed arch portion in opposite directions, or differential expansion in the same direction?"Y Furthermore, by disposing the pivotal connection between the suspension links and arch portion at one side of the center of gravity, the arch portion tends automatically to tilt about Such axis until it engages the fixed arch portion or the front wall portion, or both where as in the present instance the suspension linkage is of a flexible character. The ignition arch portion is by this construction not only rendered movable to accommodate expansion of the fixed wall and arch portions and thus relieve expansive stresses which might otherwise have destructive results, but is so supported that it tends at all times to follow thevex ansive and contractive movements of the Xed arch and wall portions and maintain in contact therewith to prevent the escape of the ases. g The fixed portion of the furnace arch embodies in the present instance, in addition to the construction described above, an improved inner end construction where it extends upwardly adjacent the boiler drum and tubes. Abutting the end of each supporting beam 23 is an upwardly disposed extension portion 60 connected with the adjacent end of the corresponding beam 23 as by means of an arcuate plate 61 riveted to the beam sections as shown. The upper flange and web of the extension portion 60 are cut away to clear beam 23, the lower flange being continued and curved to abut the lowerflange of beam 23 and form a continuous upwardly curved extension-thereof for receiving Wedge shaped clamps 62 similar to the clamps 24. These clamps support wedge shaped hanger bricks 63 which in turn supportlining bricks 64. otherwise similar to bricks 25 and 26 respectively.

68 on which is seated in fixed relation thel i forward end of a fixed arch portion 69Vconstructed and suspended :from transversey Section 60 by the same means supports lining bricks the end of which may be enlarged as shown to protect the endv beams 70. as already described in connection with the fixed arch portion shown in Fig. 1. The fixed arch portion in this modification is spaced from the boiler drum or tubes as shown'in F ig. 9 and this space is filled by a movably suspended arch portion indicated generally at 71. e

The movable arch portion of this modification has thecharacter of construction already described comprising spaced parallel beams 72 to which the hanger an-d lining bricks are clamped as before by means of clamps 73. The arch portion in this case is inclined to a degree approaching the vertical and the longitudinal thrust of the weight of the bricks is taken by two angle bars 74, extending trans* versely adjacent the center and lower endof the arch portion and riveted thereto as at 75. These angle bars may be further secured to the beams 72 as by means of bolts 76 passed through the bars and to a plate 77 thus held against the other side of the beams 72. Une leg of each bar extends inwardly as in the case of the foot portion 41 of the first modification and engages under the hanger bricks to form a supporting abutment for the latter. Any number of such foot portions or abutments may of course be employed for the purpose explained. i y

The lower end of the movably supported portion 71 has, in abutting relation with the mner end of the fixedarch portion 69 a suit ably curved section similar to the inner end of the fixed arch of the first modification and preferablyv formed by curving the lower ends of the beams 72 about a suitable radius as at 78, Fig. l0. `Wedge or sector shaped clampsL 79, Fig. 9, are secured on the flange 80 ofthe curved section 78 and support a suitably wedge shaped series of hanger bricks 81 and facing bricks 82 of the character already described, providing a continuous curved facing between the two arched portions. The upper end of the suspended arch portion 71 is movably connected in any suitablemanner` with the boiler drums and other portions as by means of a suitable packing material 88 arranged to prevent the escape of the gases.

Arch ,portion 71 is movably suspended in the present instance by mea-ns comprising a transverse anglebar 84, Fig. 13, riveted to the flanges of each of the beams 72 as at 85. The bar 84 forms part of a beam 86 built up of spaced channels bolted together to provide a rigid member to which a series of aligned, fiexible suspension links 87 are fixed. The latter are in the present instance in theforni of rods passed between the channels of beam 86 and through bar 84 in which the rods are secured as by means of nuts 88. The suspension links or rods are provided with adjusting turn buckles 89 and their upper ends are attached to clamps 90iengaged with the flange of an I beam 91 suitably supported as by means of main beams 92 which carryI the boiler drums and tubing. The swinging and tilting movements of the suspended arch portion are afforded in this modification by the flexibility of the angle bar 84, or of the elongated suspension rods 87 or of both, the device described for-attaching these rods to the arch portion being preferably located at one side of the center of gravity of the latter so that it'tends to swing and tilt to maintain contact with the fixed arch portion 69 at one end and with the boiler drum at the other in the manner and withv the advantages described for the previous modification.

The invention thus provides in combination with an improved form of arch construction, a practical and efficient combination of relatively fixed and movable portions and suspension means for the movable portionsq capable ofl variousadaptations. During expansion and contraction of the different portions under hvariations in temperature, the movably supported portion tendsl to string bodily, or to tilt pivotally about its axis of support, or to partake of both motions, but always maintains close contact with the contiguous portions to prevent escape of the hot gases.

I claim as my invention: v

l. In a furnace, a separatelyconstructed arch portion comprising beam means and a plurality of bricks having means connecting the latter with said beam means, said arch portion being arranged to abut and move relative to adjacent furnace portions on opposite-sides thereof and being normally inclined with respect thereto, and supporting means having a connection with said arch portion at one side of the center of gravity of the latter independently of said brick connecting means tending to produce a tilting movement of said arch portion for maintaining the same in contact with abutting furnace portions during expansion of the parts under variations in temperature.

2. In a furnace, a separately constructed arch portion comprisingbeam means and a plurality of bricks having means connecting the latter with said beam means` said arch portion being arranged to abt and move ielative to adjacent lfurnace portions and fiexible supporting means having a connection with said arch portion independently of said brick connecting means adapted to normally afford a bodily swinging and also an angular tiltingl movement thereof for accommodating the expansive movement of the furnace portions produced by temperature changes and maintaining said arch portion in contact with said adjacent portions.

3. In a furnace, an arch portion comprising beam means and a plurality of bricks having means connecting the latter with said beam means, said arch portion being arranged to abut and move relative to adjacent furnace portions and being normally inclined With respect to the latter, and fiexible-link 4. In al furnace, an arch portion comprising beam means and a plurality of bricks having means connecting the latter with said beam means, said arch portion being arranged to abut and move relative to adjacent furnace portions and being normally inclined with respect thereto, and a plurality of aligned' flexible link means supporting said arch portion from above and having pivotal connections therewith independently of the brick connecting means and at one side of the center of gravity thereof affording a bodily swinging and also an angular tilting movement of the arch portion tending to maintain the same in contact with abutting furnace portions during expansion and contraction produced by temperature changes.

5. The combination With a furnace construction, of an arch portioncomprising supporting beams inclined to the horizontal and a lining of heat resistant material therefor, supporting means above said arch portion and a series of suspension members carried by said supporting means and adjustably connected with said beams alongan inclined axis of the latter disposed to effect a tilting movement thereof for maintaining the lining in contact with abutting furnace portions during the expansive movement produced by variations in temperature.

6. The combination With a furnace having a frontwall and a fixed arch portion, of a movable arch portion comprising supporting beams inclined to the horizontal and a lining of heat resistant material suspended from the beams and also inclined to the horizontal and abutting said fixed portion at one side and disposed in sliding engagement with the inner face of said front wall at its opposite side, and supporting means having a connection with said movable arch portion independently of said lining material tending to effect movement of the arch portion for maintaining the saine in 'contact with said fixed arch portion during expansive move'- ment produced by temperature changes.

7. -A furnace comprising a wall portion, a fixed arch portion, and a movable ignition arch comprising supporting beams inclined to the horizontal and alining `of heat resstant material therefor extending obliquely between said Wall and fixed arch portions and supporting means connected `with said movable arch at one side of the center of gravity thereof independently of said lining llt) lill

material and tending to effect a tilting mov'ement of said arch for maintaining the same tions during expansion of said parts under variations in temperature.

8. The combination with a furnace of a movable arch portion comprising inclined supporting beams, transversely extending abutment means carried by said beams, bricks of heat resisting material secured to said beams and supported by said abutment means, and suspension means having a connection With 'said arch portion tending to produce a tilting movement thereof to accommodate expansion of the furnace parts under variations in temperature and maintain said'movable arch portion in contact With adjacent furnace parts.

9. The combination with a furnace of an arch portion comprising a series of beams arranged at an inclination to the horizontal and provided with transversely extending abnt ment means, fire bricks secured to said beams and seated on said abutment means, and suspension means for said beams arranged 'to produce a tilting movement thereof adapted to maintain said arch portion in contact with abutting portions of the furnace.

10. The combination with a furnace of an arch portion comprising a series of beams arranged at an inclination to the horizontal and provided with transversely extending abut'- ment means, hanger bricks secured to said beams, lining bricks carried by said hanger bricks, said hanger and lining bricks being held a ainst movement longitudinaly of said beamsgby said abutment means, and supporting means having a connection with said beams tending to produce a tilting movement thereof to accommodate expansion of said arch and abutting furnace portions produced by temperature variations and maintain said arch portion in contact with said abutting furnace portions.

11. The combination with a furnace of an arch portion comprising a series of beams arranged at an inclination. to the horizontal, a transversely extending foot portion at the lower end of said beams, a protective shoe removably disposed on said foot portion, tire bricks carried by said beams andheld against movement longitudinaly thereof by said foot portion, and suspension means movably supporting said beams permitting the latter to swing under the expansive movement of said 1n contact with said Wall and fixedV arch por.

arch andabutting furnace portions produced by variations in temperature.

12. The combination With a furnace construction comprising a Wall portion and a fixed arch portion, of a movable arch or-` tion comprising a series of beams exten ing obliquely from an end of said fixed arch portion to said Wall portion, transversely extending abutment means at the lower ends of said beams and fire brickscarried by said .beams and held against movement longitudinally thereof by said abutment means, and flexible suspension means pivotally connected With said beams at one side of the center of gravity thereof and tending to effect a tilting action of said movable arch portion for maintaining the same in Contact with said fixed arch portion- Vand Wall during expansion and contraction' of the furnace.

13. In a furnace, the combination With a front Wall and an arch portion spaced therefrom, of supporting means, a separately constructed arch carried thereby comprising a series of beams arranged at an inclinationto the horizontal between said Wall and arch porblocks recessed to receive said hangers, a series of bricks superimposed upon saidbase blocks and connections between said bricks and said beams.

14. In a furnace, supporting means, a separately constructed arch carried thereby comprising a series of-beams arranged at an inclination to the horizontal and having recessed portions at their lower ends vertically disposed, hangers depending from said beams having their upper ends secured Within said recessed portions and provided attheir lower ends with inwardly projecting feet, base blocks secured upon said feet, a series of bricks superimposed upon each of the blocks, and means connecting the bricks with said beams.

15. In a furnace, supporting means and an arch carried thereby, comprising a series of vertically disposed hangers having foot-like portions on their lower ends, base blocks superimposed upon said foot-like portions, de-

tachable shoes forming guards for protecting 

